Trigger Warning! This article contains mention of sexual assault.
Summary
Netflix dramaDesperate Liestells a story that spans decades, requiring a sizeable, talented cast to bring the tale to the small screen. The Brazilian melodrama, created byDark Days' Angela Chaves, adopts many elements of a great telenovela. There’s tragedy, drama, and romance, but with a nostalgic edge as the story carries out over several years. Of course,Desperate Lieswouldn’t have been possible without its cast, which includes Brazilian stars like Juliana Paes, Vladimir Brichta, Felipe Abib, and more.
The story of theNetflix TV showDesperate Liesfollows Liana, who is finally able to celebrate her first pregnancy after years of trying. However, things quickly turn sour when she realizes that her pregnancy is a rare phenomenon—her two twins are fathered by different men. The first was conceived with her husband, whom she discovered was having an affair. The second child, however, was conceived as the result of a rape.Desperate Liesbegins in 2006 and carries on into 2023,following Liana’s family as she tries desperately to keep painful secrets from tearing them apart.
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Juliana Paes As Liana
Date Of Birth: June 03, 2025
The leading part of Liana inDesperate Liesis played bytelenovela actorand model Juliana Paes. Born and raised in Brazil,Paes had her breakout role in the 2009 telenovelaCaminho das Índias, in which she played protagonist Maya Meetha. Her further notable projects includedGabriela(2012),Meu Pedacinho de Chão(2017), andTotalmente Demais(2017), which earned her an Emmy nomination. Though best known for her telenovela roles, Paes has also appeared in movies likeCasa da Mãe Joana(2007),Bed & Breakfast(2010), andAmor Sem Medida(2021).
Bed & Breakfast(2010)
Ana
Paes' character inDesperate Lies, Liana, is an occupational therapist desperate to have children of her own. When she finally discovers that she is pregnant, she is overjoyed. However, her doctor ultimately reveals that her twins were fathered by different men—one her husband and the other her rapist.
Vladimir Brichta As Tomás
Date Of Birth: June 13, 2025
Brazilian actorVladimir Brichta got his start playing Ezequiel in the 2001 TV showPorto do Milagres. From there, he appeared in dozens of series, includingComeçar de Novo(2004),Faça Sua História(2008),Tapas & Beijos(2011 - 2015), andRenascer(2024). Brichta’s film credits includeA Mulher Invisível(2009),A Coleção Invisível(2012), andBingo: The King of the Mornings(2017).
A Coleção Invisível(2012)
Beto
Brichta plays Tomás inDesperate Lies, Liana’s husband and the father of one of her twins. Tomás was unfaithful to Liana, causing her to run out to the club with her friend to burn off some steam. However, the married couple ultimately decide to work out their marriage, though the truth about the twins makes this far more complicated.
Felipe Abib As Oscar
Date Of Birth: July 21, 2025
Felipe Abib was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and though he began his acting career in 2007,he gained notoriety playing Jeremias in the 2013 filmBrazilian Western. From there, Abib gained further fame starring in the 2014 comedyVai Que de Certo, as well as its sequel, 2015’sVai Que da Certo II. His other notable roles include projects like HBO’sMagnifica 70(2016),Mal Me Quer(2019),Amigo de Aluguel(2018), andA Life to Die For!(2021).
Mal Me Quer(2019)
Marcel
Abib plays Oscar inDesperate Lies,the brother of Liana’s best friend, Débora, and owner of a nightclub. When Liana discovers her husband’s infidelity, she goes out with Débora to clear her mind, but the night ultimately leads to her being sexually assaulted by Oscar. The trauma of this situation only becomes more intense when Liana discovers that Oscar is the father of one of her twin sons.
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Palomma Duarte As Sílvia
Date Of Birth: July 17, 2025
Brazilian actor Palomma Duarte got her start in the 1991 TV seriesGrande Paibutgained wider notoriety playing Teca in the 1993 seriesRenascer, in which she appeared in 216 episodes. Duarte starred in another long-running series in the 1990s,Tropicaliente(1994), playing Amanda. Other notable TV credits includeAnjo de Mim(1996),Hilda Hurricane(1998),Women in Love(2003),Sunshine(2007), andAlém da Ilusão(2022).
Além da Ilusão(2022)
Heloisa Camargo
Duarte plays Sílvia inDesperate Lies, Tomás’ sister and, therefore, Liana’s sister-in-law.
João Vitti As Vicente
Date Of Birth: August 11, 2025
Brazilian telenovela starJoão Vitti had his breakout role in the 1992 seriesDespendida de Solteiro, in which he played Xampu.From there, Vitti played in other notable 1990s telenovelas, includingDe Corpo e Alma(1992),Éramos Seis(1994), andDireito de Vencer(1997). More recently, the actor has appeared in remake projects likeUma Rosa com Amor(2010) andRebelde(2012).
Rebelde(2012)
Bob Nelson
InDesperate Lies, Vitti plays Vicente, the doctor Liana sees to determine her babies' father. Of course, his tests reveal that Liana has a rare condition in which her twins were each fathered by two different men.
Martha Nowill As Débora
Date Of Birth: July 09, 2025
Martha Nowill got her start playing Mari in the 2007 movieCamila Jam, and her career has continued to grow. In 2011, she claimed a reoccurring role in the TV seriesOscar Freire 279before appearing in the 2012 filmThe Curse of the Cages. 2013 brought another notable role for Nowill, Drica, in the filmSheep’s Clothing. She landed another recurring TV role in 2015 withFelizes para Sempre?, leading to 2018’sIf I Close My Eyes Now. More recently, Nowill appeared in 2020’sAll the Women in the World,5X Comedy(2021), andDios Tempos(2023).
Dios Tempos(2023)
Mia Ramos
Nowill plays Débora inDesperate Lies, Liana’s best friend and Oscar’s brother. Débora takes Liana to her brother’s nightclub after her friend learns of her husband’s infidelity, and the two accept drugs from Oscar to let loose. However, the evening doesn’t go as planned.
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Desperate Lies Supporting Cast & Characters
Yohama Eshima as Cláudia- Yohama Eshima, best known for the telenovelasTravessia(2022) andAmor sem Igual(2019), plays Cláudia inDesperate Lies, Tomás’ mistress.
Enzo Diniz as young Marcos- Liana and Tomás' son, Marcos, is played by Enzo Diniz, whose prior credits includeMar do Sertão(2022) andNos Tempos do Imperador(2021).
Theo de Almeida as young Mateus- Liana’s second twin, Mateus, is played by Theo de Almeida inDesperate Lies, who has appeared inNos Tempos do Imperador(2021) alongside costar Enzo Diniz.
José Beltrão as teenage Marcos- The teenage version of Marcos is the breakout role of José Beltrão, who previously appeared in the short filmCoé, Cadê Meu Isqueiro?(2024).
Pedro Manoel Nabucoas teenage Mateus - Teenage Mateus is played by Pedro Manoel inDesperate Lies, who has appeared inA Vide Pela Frente(2023) andBetinoho: No Fio da Navalha(2023).
Antônio Grassi as Jonas- Actor Antônio Grassi, best known forO Dono do Nundo(1991),Carandiru(2003), andFlames of Life(2008), plays Jonas inDespterate Lies, Tomás’ father.
Mario Borges as Cezar- The part of Cezar is played by Mario Borges, best known forThe Emerald Forest(1985) andBufo & Spallanzani(2001).
Vitor Valle as Inácio-Desperate Liesis the first credit for actor Vitor Valle, who plays Tomas’s nephew Inácio.
Cláudia Porvedel as Nina- The part of Nina is played by Cláudia Porvedel, who is best known forO Amor Está no Ar(1997) andAbove Justice(2016).
Joana Kannenberg as Patrícia- Joana Kannenberg plays Patricia inDesperate Liesand is best known for playing Dani in the long-running TV seriesMalhação.
Desperate Lies
Cast
Liana dreams of becoming a mother, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant with twins by two different men due to a rare phenomenon. As she navigates this complicated situation, she struggles to keep her family united and her secrets hidden. The series delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.
